Lions safety Kerby Joseph called his shot back during training camp

Kerby Joseph had a bold goal back in training camp. The Detroit Lions safety accomplished it.

In training camp, NFL players always have lofty goals that may or may not be attainable. Every team wants to win the Super Bowl, and every player wants to be a superstar. Last year, the Netflix documentary “Receivers” revealed Amon-Ra St. Brown set his personal bar extremely high for his 2023 season. Some of those goals he attained (1,500 yards, 10 touchdowns), another proved to be a bit too optimistic (150 receptions).

Back in July of 2024, Kerby Joseph set the bar pretty high for himself, but his primary goal turned out to be the right mix of aspirational and attainable. The Detroit Lions safety only shared one of his 2024 goals with the media.

“I want to lead the league in interceptions, that’s one of my main goals,” Joseph said during the first week of training camp.

He called his shot and he accomplished it, finishing the 2024 season with a NFL-leading nine interceptions.

At the time, Joseph’s prediction seemed audacious, yet attainable. He had four interceptions in each of his first two seasons, and with an improved defensive roster around him, it was certainly possible more plays would come his way.

And that’s exactly how things played out. Early in the season, Detroit’s improved pass rush helped force quarterbacks to make errant throws. That led Joseph to get off to a hot start, tallying seven interceptions in Detroit’s first 10 games. And while there was an interception drought for the entire team over the next couple of months, Joseph came up big on “Monday Night Football” in Detroit’s Week 17 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Joseph picked up two second-half interceptions against Brock Purdy that led the Lions to a 40-34 victory.

And while he got snubbed from the Pro Bowl this year, he undoubtedly checked off another career goal this week by being named First-Team All Pro by the Associated Press.

“Oh! I made All Pro?” Joseph said when told the news by Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi. “Finally! They know what’s up. They know what’s up.”

Now, it’s time to check off that one remaining team goal that’s waiting for them in New Orleans.